EAST Thurrock United goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius will be channelling the spirit of the FA Cup tomorrow, as he looks to become the latest Rocks keeper to make an impression in the competition.

The Lithuanian under-21 international has made quite an impression at Rookery Hill since joining in the summer to replace David Hughes.

Having kept just one clean sheet in his first 11 games, Lidakevicius has two in his last three games, and he is targeting another against Staines tomorrow in a competition he says he knows well.

Ex-stopper Hughes was named man of the match as Rocks went out to Hartlepool United in the first round last year, and Rocks’ new custodian says he wants to make his mark on the cup too.

“I know all about the FA Cup,” said the 22-year-old. “I know how important it is for the smaller clubs and it is chance for the team to go and play at a big club in a big stadium and I want to experience that with the team.

“I may not know it as well as the English people but it is important to me to do well in this game, as well as every other.

“Plus I know how well the guys here played in the first round last year and that gives me a boost as I want people to know my name as well and show what I can do.”

Although he knows Rocks won’t have it easy against Staines, who have already beaten them 3-2 this season.

Rickie Hayles was sent off after 12 minutes of that match and Lidakevicius is hopeful of a better result this time around.

“We were a bit unlucky last time,” he said. “We lost but didn’t deserve to lose. Losing Rickie so early hurt us but we have to go and show we are the better team tomorrow.”

The stopper, who was playing in the Lithuanian A Lyga last year, has international experience, having represented his country at every level from under-15 to under-21. He has even played against England’s under-21s in October 2013 in a European Championship qualifier.

And he says, although he is leading a different life in the UK, he is enjoying himself.

“I really like it here,” he said. “Since I joined it has been great and I feel very comfortable around my team-mates. Having played a few months now I know the players and the league and I am enjoying it a lot.

“It is very different to what I have done before as I played professionally in Lithuania where all you do is play football. Coming to England, I have trained to become a personal trainer alongside my football and I like that. I was bored just training once a day as you had a lot of spare time so my life has changed, but in a good way.”